Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Play-Testing Now!

WDWNT on November 8, 2011

From Jennifer Fickley-Baker on the Disney Parks Blog:

Watch carefully over the coming days and you may see people casting spells in Adventureland. Walt Disney Imagineering has recruited Cast Members to test a new interactive experience: Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom.

Early next year, Disney Guests become the heroes in this role-playing trading-card game as they try to defeat the Disney Villains who are working to take over the Magic Kingdom. Armed with magic spells in the form of special cards, players must search for the magic symbols that lead them to the animated villains’ hiding places. By casting different magical spell cards, these Sorcerers can do battle with Yzma, Kronk and other ne’er do wells hiding throughout the land. From fireballs to frantic frogs and cyclones, there are spells to bring down each and every villain, with a simple flick of the wrist.

Based on the images shown, it looks like Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom will be an interactive card game of sorts. Guests will use spell cards (looks like there will be up tom 70 of these) to defeat various Disney Villains throughout the entire park.

From the look of things, Adventureland is the only area running the game so far for these play-tests, and since these were the first displays installed, it really isn’t all that surprising. Installation of the interactive sets recently reached Fantasyland and we have confirmed that Main Street U.S.A. will be getting in on the action soon. We haven’t seen much work in Tomorrowland as of yet, but it is possible that the small walls we have been discussing for several weeks have something to do with this game.

WDW News Today will have more information on Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom as it becomes available. Stay tuned…

“Exotic Driving Experience” Hits The Road!

WDWNT on November 8, 2011

Starting in January of 2012, Walt Disney World will be the place to race some of the world’s most exciting exotic cars (or you can just ride-along if you don’t have the guts).

Located at Walt Disney World® Speedway in Orlando, Florida, Exotic Driving Experience features supercars by Ferrari, Lamborghini, Audi and Porsche. Exotic Driving Experience gives YOU the opportunity to get behind the wheel of these supercars and make your dreams a reality.

If you’re looking for more information, then head straight to the source at www.ExoticDriving.com. We’ll have more on this story as we get closer to 2012.

9″ Urban 7 Vinylmation Explained

WDWNT on November 8, 2011

Update: 11/8/11 Release date of November 18, 2011 added to Annie Mae, OJ & Milk (Online Exclusive), Curliuser and Flowers.

 Color Bars
Artist: TBA

LE: 1000
$39.95

Release Date: November 2011

There better be something cool on the back, because this 9″ has a ton of empty space for $40-$45 price tag that it will have. Maybe an autograph piece for TV stars? We knew this was coming based on the previously released Ear Hat, 3″, Jr combo.
Monster
Artist: TBA

LE: 800
$39.95

Release Date: November 2011

This guy looks great. I’m a sucker for using the nose as a chin. The huge feet and talons are cool too. Before I knew there would be so many, I bought the Snow Monster 9/3 from Park 3. But I have to be so much more selective now. This would have made the cut a year ago, but not today.
King Tut 9″/3″ Combo
Artist: TBA
LE: 1500
$74.95
Release Date: November

The 9″ looks brilliant. Vibrant gold color. This is King Tut in a sarcophagus. And this continues the addition of some great accessories to 9″ figures.
King Tut 9″/3″ Combo
Artist: TBA

LE: 1500
$74.95

Release Date: November

King Tut before being put to rest is depicted in this 3″ figure. Disney’s official picture of this guy also has a cane:
Flowers
Artist: Lisa Badeen

LE: 1000
$39.95

Release Date: November 18, 2011

A purple body and a flower pattern all around.
9″
3″
 Milk and OJ 9/3 Combo
Artist: Caley Hicks

LE: 1500
$74.95
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE
Release Date: November 18, 2011

This set is based on an Ear Hat set we saw a while back. OJ and Milk was the talk of The Florida Project. People loved this one.

The side of 9″ Milk has a bar code.

The back of OJ 3″ has Nutrition Facts.
Curliuser
Artist: Thomas Scott

LE: 1000
$39.95

Release Date: November 18, 2011

A paisley type pattern
Annie Mae
Artist: Mike Sullivan

LE: 800
$39.95

Release Date: November 18, 2011

Back of 9″ Annie Mae

Episode 045 Mickey Cartoon

WDWNT on November 8, 2011

Ep. 045 Mickey Cartoon
This week’s show takes a look at the news of the week including some future Park and DCL reveals, a Kidada release and Muppet Mayhem. We offer a full release date. Review the new Alice in Wonderland set. And read listen to your voice mails in the Mystery Mail Bag.

During the show, we play a voicemail from a listener Dennis. We wanted to share with you the transcript Google Voice gave us of this message. Enjoy:

“Hello, this is not. Dennis open and runs whether just calling to wish you guys a very happy one year anniversary of the Yeah destination by donation podcast. I would over 44 episodes that really self. Plus the loose of washed out there so that we keep hearing about you. You provide a great service to the final nation community and I for one really appreciate it and look forward to each week’s episode. So again, congratulations on one here in as always. Keep on producing violation podcast See you later.”

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Concept Art For The Holiday Addition to The Magic, The Memories, and You

WDWNT on November 8, 2011

From Shawn Slater on the Disney Parks Blog:

This is my favorite time of year in the Disney Parks. The air is cool, holiday decorations are going up and all the fantastic, seasonal entertainment is ready to debut. And this year, our Creative Entertainment team has something new to unwrap!

Since its premiere last January, our projection show “The Magic, The Memories and You!” has been wowing guests. Each night the show is presented, the faces of Cinderella Castle at the Walt Disney World Resort and “it’s a small world” at the Disneyland Resort have been transformed with magical special effects, animation and images of our guests captured by Disney PhotoPass photographers during the day.

For the holiday season, we’re updating one of the segments of the show with a musical score filled with favorite holiday tunes and pictures of guests celebrating in the parks. Starting tomorrow in Magic Kingdom Park, Cinderella Castle will appear to be wrapped in gift paper and bows, covered in candy stripes and more!

Cinderella Castle Decorated for the Holidays at Magic Kingdom Park

These photos give you an idea of the fun in store. They’re of some of the actual mattes that will be projected on the surface of Cinderella Castle. “The Magic, The Memories and You!” art director, Tom Zofrea, created these images in such a way that, when projected from various points around the park’s Central Plaza, they produce the effect that the Castle is built from gingerbread.

'it's a small world' Holiday at Disneyland Park

At Disneyland park, the holiday segment of “The Magic, The Memories and You!” begins Nov. 18, turning the façade of “it’s a small world” Holiday into a giant snow globe and an icy winter wonderland, among other surprises. The attraction will even get its own gingerbread treatment. Looks delicious!

Gingerbread Treatment at 'it's a small world' at Disneyland Park

 

Festival of the Masters 2011 Preview

WDWNT on November 7, 2011


Update: 11/08/11 Artist Will Gay’s custom Vinylmation is featured in this video posted by the Disney Parks Blog today.


The Festival of the Masters will be happening on November 11th thru the 13th at Downtown Disney in Florida. It’s an event dedicated to allowing artists of all different media display and sell their artwork. (I personally love the sidewalk chalk drawings) As part of the Festival, Vinylmation will have a stand (usually across from D-Street) and will be showing off some new figures. We also have word that a couple of classic vinylmation “celebrities” will be on hand at 10:30 AM on Saturday the 11th. UPDATE: According to the Art of Disney site, Randy Noble (one of the very first vinylmation artists) is scheduled to be at the event. Does this mean he’ll be around the vinylmation area?


Also on display somewhere in the festival will be custom vinylmations, the first of which we found in the flyer for the event. Lee Clark will be displaying this cool crayon drawingish vinyl.

This event was one of the first events we covered as a site and a podcast last year, and was the event where we got our first interview with Steven Miller back in the day.

MC’s friend Bob Kodzis at the festival in 2010. (Pic by MC)

Come out and enjoy all the free artwork! Check out all the Disney info at the Art of Disney FotM post.

Pic by Nick

There is also a Lego display near the Lego store!

ZoMG: Alice signing with Thomas Scott- DLR

WDWNT on November 7, 2011

I would like to first start this article off by saying a big THANK YOU to Thomas Scott for making this Alice in Wonderland Vinylmation series possible. Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite Disney movies and I really think Thomas nailed it. This is my favorite set of Vinylmation to date. I have never been so excited about an entire set (and I’ve been collecting for the past 3 years). I was so excited to finally meet Thomas and tell him how much I love this series and everything he created for it!

The Alice in Wonderland Vinylmation series includes, the set of 12 + 2 variants, the Cheshire Cat limited edition set of two 3 inch Vinylmation, as well as two 9 inch Vinylmation, the Walrus & the Carpenter (which will look so good with the 3 inch little oysters!) and some super secret information that Thomas told me today, a 9 inch crying Alice that comes with THREE jrs! One “Eat Me” cookie Jr, one “Drink Me” bottle Jr, and one happy Alice Jr. (See our post on Alice 9″ Combo)

All pictures by Zoe
Now lets get to the event!

I arrived at Downtown Disney on Saturday around 7:30 am and was 26th in line. The morning was very chilly but completely worth it. Everyone passed the time trading, talking and getting excited to go inside D-Street to buy their Alice in Wonderland Vinylmation!

After buying my tray I got into the signing line that was to begin at 10:00 am. I couldn’t wait to open up my tray so I got right to it! After opening my tray I realized that I got the pink Hedgehog variant! Pink is my favorite color and I really wanted this one so I was pretty excited. Little random note, only one pink variant in my tray not two, so I had one pink and one green.

The signing began at 10:00 and Thomas was so excited to see everyone come out to Downtown Disney to talk with him and get their Vinylmation signed!

Thomas spent a lot of time with each person, taking questions, Vinylmation talk etc. I love that he took time to talk with everyone. He genuinely loves what he does and I mean honestly who doesn’t. Thomas is definitely one of the best Vinylmation artists out there.

I was so excited to show him my variant! I had Thomas sign my Dinah, pink Hedgehog and my tray! I couldn’t stop telling him how much I love the set and the art, everything as a whole in this series. He was very happy to see how much I enjoyed the set.

Thomas actually told me that he has read some of the stuff I’ve done for Destination Vinylmation – how cool is that!

He also shared with me the designs for the Alice and 3 junior combo set! (Which I explained earlier)

After getting my Vinylmation signed I went to go trade the couple I had bought from the Disney Store the night before because I couldn’t wait until the event to see at least one of the figures in person! I had gotten the Mad Hatter and an Oyster. One of my friends noticed that my Mad Hatter had different feet than the one in my tray! That’s when we all realized there was ANOTHER variant!

Now me again just being SO excited, I run up to Thomas and say look did you know about this! Look another variant! And he laughs and goes, “Yes I know, I designed it” haha.

Needless to say, I had such a great time at the Vinylmation Alice in Wonderland signing event. I got the complete set of Alice in Wonderland, variants and all, the Vinylmation gods must have been with me.

The event today was organized and I think everyone had a great time and really enjoyed this new release! It was awesome to finally meet Thomas Scott and chat with him about his work, and have some of my figures from the set signed!

I can’t say enough good things about this set. I honestly can’t pick one favorite because they all look so perfect! Thomas captured the personality of each character perfectly and it goes perfect on to the Vinylmation mold.

If you aren’t close to Disneyland or Disney World, please visit your local Disney Store (if you haven’t already) and get some of the Alice in Wonderland Vinylmation!

Thomas Scott created an amazing set that I think every Vinylmation fan needs in their collection!

-Zoe

Park 7 Main Street Horse and Trolley

WDWNT on November 5, 2011

There were several vinylmation pieces shown last night at the Trade Show at WDW. One of the newest, never before seen, pieces was this 2 pack 3″ Clydesdale Horse and Trolley. Based on the packaging it seems to be one of the Park 7 LEs (Along with the 6 piece 3″ Kitchen Kaberat and the 3 piece 3″ Fife and Drum set). This is designed after the horse that pulls a trolley down Main Street USA at the Magic Kingdom.

Pic from burnsland.com

The hidden Mickeys on the horse’s harness are great. The trolley is also done well. The front seems to fit perfectly onto the mold and wrapped around it well. What are your thoughts?

Park 7 Kitchen Kaberat Packaging

WDWNT on November 5, 2011

The last new thing we saw at the Trade Show at WDW is the packaging for the Kitchen Kaberat LE Park 7 set. This set contains 6 3″ pieces and comes packaged 3 in the front and 3 in the back. (The pic is the two sides combined.)

At The Florida Project we were told that the set is coming out in January or February of 2012. It will be a LE of 1500 and will cost $74.95.

Any interest in the set?